Osmosis video - Ovary histology

The ovaries are almond-shaped structures that produce steroid hormones like estrogen and progesterone, as well as the female gametes or oocytes. Each ovary is typically about 3 centimeters long, 1.5 centimeters wide, and 1 centimeter thick.

Each ovary consists of a thin outer capsule made of a layer of simple cuboidal epithelium, and an underlying dense layer of connective tissue called the tunica albuginea. There is also the cortex, which is the outer region where oocytes and ovarian follicles develop; the medulla which is characterized by coiled blood vessels; and the hilum, which is where the neurovascular structures enter the ovary.